Let's Lose the Christian Lingo
Based on my recent post, let's create a list of "Christian Lingo" that we just can't use anymore. Words that might have meant something to another generation, but have little or no meaning to the church or culture today. I worry that we've created a language in the church that no one outside our little group even understands. Word like "fellowship" - as in "Let's have a mighty time of fellowship." Or "Crusade" - as in "Evangelistic Crusade." Or my current favorite, "Rally" - as in "Youth Rally." What other dated religious words can we get rid of? Let's start a list. Post away:
Have you every stood back and wondered what a non-Christian would ever think of when they hear the term "Love Gift". I mean, it doesn't sound like something I want to ask someone for? "Hi for your love gift I will send you this thing as a thank you". Isn't that illegal in most states?
John Owens-Producer/Director
In the book, Christian Writer's Manual of Style, authors Shelly Townsend and Bob Hudson compiled a great list of religious jargon that should be used sparingly if at all! We reference that in our Marketing Department to keep our "lingo" current and relatable to today's world.Some examples: abundant life burden on my heart Christian walk life-changing experience straight and narrow
The one that comes to mind quickly is "revival". Or "tent meeting".
FOYER
As in, we'll be breakin out the annointin oil after the service in the FOYER!
Isn't it a lobby?
I think often when people use Christian lingo in mixed company it is to be divisive. It is just as rude as shifting from a common language to one that only a select group knows. I also find it rude when these same people take an unrelated topic of conversation and segue it to Jesus. I've noticed people do that on this blog.Awhile back Phil asked people to list reasons why the Christian lifestyle is different than any other lifestyle but without using Christian lingo and quoting the bible. The exercise was to show how one communicates to non Christians. Most people could not do it. Now imagine someone displays the above behavior on a TV show whose audience you want to expand. Do you honestly expect the viewer to whip out the Christian to English dictionary?
I've always found "Covered in the Blood" to be a tricky one to work in mixed social scenes.
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
I found Jesus in prison.
Sins of the flesh.
Born Again.
Godless countries
All well and good! Ditch (chuck? pitch?) the Christianese. Equally useful, perhaps more so, is to come up with a list of substitutes for all that lingo. Tony's Christian-English Dictionary is not a bad idea. New book for you, sir?
Blessings. (Oops! I mean, have a nice day.)
A young man, Bill, was seeking out the possibility of embracing Jesus and was invited to a local Bible study. He went for a few weeks and was intrigued enough to come back, but not convinced enough to make a commitment. Finally the leader of the group came up to him and said, "Hey Bill, how to you like our study?" Bill decided to be honest and said, "Well, it's very interesting but I have one question. What is THE WORD? Is that some secret word that gives you insight or understanding? Can you tell me what that is?" The leader suddenly realized that poor Bill had been the victim of Christianeze and had to explain that THE WORD is THE BIBLE.......
I have mixed feelings on this. In the same way an English teacher would not want her students to dumb down their vocabulary just to fit in, I'd hate to see powerfully descriptive words such as edification, fellowship, anointing, revival just fade away. But, I confess that their meaning has been lessened by over-abundant and incorrect use. And I suppose the New Testiment was written in the "common" Greek of the time.
Here's an interesting one. What about the large use of the phrase, "God told me to...". I am actually working with a screenwriter who is telling the story of a woman who murdered her children in response to what she said was a command from God. But that's another topic...
Fellowshipping (is that anything like overnight shipping?)
Calling someone a partner who simply ordered that CD on weight loss for $9.95
For some reason, I've always found Christian sign-offs to letters, emails etc (Yours in His Service, Yours in Him etc) particularly irksome. So much so that I have my own spoof sign-offs I often use (Yours in Ept, Yours in Trepid, Yours in Different etc).
Please...somebody come up with another word for "Crusade" ....please!
How about we stop saying 'Faith-Based Films', since it makes the secular world think "bad film"
I'd also like to eliminate "Clean Comedy" too.
How about-"Get thee behind me Satan"
Or-"23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful" 2 Timothy 2:23-34
Or-" 3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin."
How about-I find your words offensive and disrespectful, Mr. Modern Evangelist.
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